Looking at a bike

[saratoga172]

Went to test drive a bike this evening. 2006 GS500F with 2800 miles. It hasn't been ridden since sometime last season most likely, but it's been started a few times since then.

Mechanically it seems fine. Shifts fine, wen't through 3 gears, and the engine had no problems once it warmed up.

The only thing really negative about it was that it's been dropped a couple times in the garage. The brake lever had to be replaced. The plastics are a bit rough, slightly faded and a few cracks. I'd probably need to get a new chain/sprockets for it and most likely battery. And of course it would need some new tires before too long. It's also a title 42 but that's a big issue for me.

The guys bottom dollar is $2000. So low miles, mechanically good and the price is pretty damn good from what I've seen so far. I didn't want to jump on it right away so I told him I'd think about it.

Now I want some opinions.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I wouldn't worry about the mechanical issues as much as I would the title 42 (I had to look that up incidentally). The bike runs, it is only a few years old and a little rash and a broken brake lever are nothing as is chain, battery and tires (I really doubt it needs sprockets with 2800 miles but those are cheap too).

Does the guy selling it hold title or what? Are there other liens on it? You really need to find that out before making an offer IMO.

 

[saratoga172]

It's owned by a criminal defense lawyer. He received it as payment for a case and it had no title at the time. He filed for a title 42 and it's under his name now. So the title 42 should be good to go.

I'm not worried about chain/sprockets or any of that. And I would just replace the sprockets with the chain.

 

[roguerower]

I own a 2007 GS500F and can honestly say that it's a great bike. It is by no means the fastest thing out there but compared to a car it's greased lightning. I bought mine from a local dealer and it was a repo with 2100 miles on it. I had to replace the tires after 1500mi (the three nails in it forced the issue) but had no problems with them this weekend.

One thing to keep in mind is that it's a great bike, but when you're playing around on it, in order to get good quick acceleration out of the turns or when passing, you need to keep the engine above 8k rpms. You'll still get 40+ mpg, but it doesn't have a lot of low end acceleration. Also be prepared for a lot of DIY mods. As a beginner bike (like the Ninja 250r) there aren't a whole lot of mods out there. Looking through a Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki parts book you'll be hard pressed to see anything with GS500 next to it.

That said I love mine. I'm gonna put about 10k miles on it before I try and move up to a bigger bike. I do a lot of long rides on teh weekends (200-300mi per day) so it should be about 6-9 months, just in time for when I finish paying off the loan!

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd get in touch with DMV and ask them what to do as far as registering the bike.

Oh, and I'd recommend you replace all the fluids if you get it before you start riding it regularly, especially the oil.